The Hamilton Tiger-Cats made three moves on Wednesday. First, they signed former James Madison kicker Ethan Ratke. Then, they released wide receiver Bralon Addison and fullback Jake Burt.
Ethan Ratke is five foot ten and weighs 186 pounds. The 25-year-old from Mechanicsville, Virginia, had an outstanding collegiate career at James Madison University (2017-21) converting 101 of 117 field goals (86%) with a long of 48 yards and making 239 extra points for 542 points. In addition, he had 57 kickoffs for 3,439 yards and 16 touchbacks in 58 games for the Dukes.
He is a two-time FCS All-American (2021-22). Ratke holds several records at JMU including field goals (29 set in 2021), scoring (160 points in 2019, and field goals made in a game (6 in 2021). Furthermore, Ratke is the all-time leader in FCS in career field goals (101), scoring points by a kicker (542), second in FCS history in career scoring by any player, and 13th in NCAA history in career scoring by any player.
Bralon Addison is five foot nine and weighs 197 pounds. The 29-year-old from Missouri City, Texas, caught 43 passes for 433 yards, 12 carries for 67 yards, and three punt returns for 32 yards in eight games for the Ticats in 2022.
Before Hamilton, Addison signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2016. He later signed with the Chicago Bears and Toronto Argonauts. On September 1st, 2018, Addison signed with the Ticats.
He played four seasons in two stints in Hamilton (2018-19, 2021-22) with 164 catches for 2,013 yards, eight touchdowns, 53 carries for 298 yards, one touchdown, 24 punt returns for 195 yards, and five kick returns for 80 yards in 31 games. Addison was named a CFL East All-Star and All-Star in 2019.
Collegiately, Addison played three seasons at Oregon (2012-13, 2015) with 146 catches for 1,937 yards, 20 touchdowns, 21 carries for 103 yards, two touchdowns, 11 kick returns for 217 yards, 36 punt returns for 451 yards, and three touchdowns in 39 games for the Ducks. He missed the 2014 season due to injury and earned Second Team All-Pac 12 in 2015.
Jake Burt is six foot three and weighs 230 pounds. The 26-year-old from Regina, Saskatchewan, caught four passes for 40 yards for the Ticats in 2022. Hamilton drafted Burt in the first round (1st pick) in the 2021 CFL Draft.
Before Hamilton, Burt signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and spent the season on the practice squad.
Collegiately, Burt played four seasons at Boston College (2015, 2017-19) with 23 catches for 307 yards, and two touchdowns in 34 games for the Eagles.
